Chloe Bailey, one-half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, is set to release her debut solo album, “In Pieces,” on Friday. The 24-year-old singer and actress has endured criticism in the past over her work and choice of outfits, but she remains determined to share her vulnerable side through her music. Bailey is taking her message on the road with a North American tour set to kick off next month.
Bailey’s album is all about embracing imperfection and allowing oneself to show vulnerability. In a recent interview, she said, “The message with this album is that it’s OK to not have it all together… We’re all in pieces. We all have things that have broken us down… We all have fears. We all have scars but it’s just who wears it the best.”
Bailey rose to fame with her sister Halle after the two posted song covers on YouTube, eventually catching the attention of Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment management company in 2015. The sisters went on to release two studio albums before pausing their work in 2021 to pursue solo projects.
For Bailey, going solo was a scary but necessary step in her career. “The very first time we were apart for months and months was when she went to London to film ‘Little Mermaid’ and I was at home… and I said to myself well, maybe this is the time,” she said.
Bailey has faced criticism in the past for her covers of classic songs and her revealing outfits. Most recently, she was criticized for collaborating with Chris Brown, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna when they were dating in 2009. Despite the negative comments, Bailey remains focused on her music and message. “I think for years I’ve almost become numb to people pointing fingers at me… It’s actually more surprising when I release something and it doesn’t have any backlash to it,” she said.
Bailey has deleted her Twitter account due to the negative comments and backlash she has received. Despite this, she remains resolute in her message of self-love and embracing one’s vulnerabilities. With her debut solo album and upcoming tour, Bailey is poised to show the world what she’s made of and inspire others to do the same.
